Urban women's informal savings and credit systems in Zambia

This article is based on findings from semi-structured interviews and discussions among "chilimba" groups in Zambia. Chilimba groups are primarily women's groups that engage in credit and savings programs. Group membership ranges from 4 to 20 members. The women agree on a fixed, regular cash contribution that is given in turn to each member in a specified order. Market groups tend to be larger and contributions of about a dollar are made daily. Smaller groups tend to make larger, but less frequent contributions. Default is rare, as the commitment is taken very seriously. New members are added at the end of the rotation. Loans can be used for domestic or business use. Chilimba groups are evidence that very poor people desire savings. Chilimba brings together people with similar financial needs and resources. Chilimba does not require formal, written procedures or formal institutional frameworks. Chilimba is not a remedy for reducing overall poverty. It is appropriate only for people with some regular source of income. It does not serve as a safety net in emergencies. Long-term loans are not possible. A limitation is its openness and lack of structure that permit potential abuse. It is a livelihood strategy for women, but benefits could be gained from including men. It is urged that groups consider whether the position of the poor is being enhanced or undermined. Different models need to be tested. Members themselves must decide on the type and phasing of activities.     

The hospice movement and its implications

Hospices, unheard of in this country a few years ago, have become a fast-growing American phenomenon. They promise effective pain relief for terminal cancer patients as well as a warm, homey atmosphere where fear and loneliness are minimized. Hospices are basically a creation of the British and it is still unclear how--or even whether--the principles they embody can be successfully incorporated into American medicine. However, hospices can make an important philosophical contribution by showing the way toward removing the stigma attached to death. Hospice principles also have implications for all of health care, in emphasizing the importance of treating the whole person rather than just the disease.     

再论完善经济立法

<正> 经济立法以及它和其他法律部门的区别。在1936年的苏联宪法里溲有经济法的术语。由此或许可以得出结论说,苏联溲有经济法,而只有民法、劳动法、土地法,家庭法等等。但是根据党和政府的决议,经济立法是存在的,而且在发展着,它非常复杂,非常广泛,并且应当完善。我们认为,在实践中广泛使用的"经济的"这一概念是十分确定的。在党和国家最重要的文件里,谈及社会主义经济中各经济组织、企业之间发生的合同和争议时就是说的经济立法、经济关系、经济合同和经济争议。